Turkey and Spain both made winning starts to World Cup qualifying and this Group E showdown at the Konya Metropolitan Municipality on Sunday could go a long way to determining which team seals a spot in the finals in North America next summer.
Turkey kickstarted their campaign with a thrilling 3-2 victory in Georgia, a fiery affair in which tempers flared, while European champions Spain eased to a 3-0 victory in Bulgaria to show that they are still the nation to beat.
These countries have not met since the 2016 European Championship but hosts Turkey will know that they have to be at their best if they are to keep tabs on La Roja, who will be determined to make up for their Nations League Finals defeat to Portugal in June.
Full Time Result: Spain
Correct Score: Turkey 1-3 Spain
Both Teams to Score: Yes
Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Over
First Goalscorer: Lamine Yamal
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A penalty shootout defeat to Portugal in the Nations League final is the only time that Spain have been beaten in their last 21 internationals and they are expected to find a way past Turkey, who are exciting but can leak goals.
La Roja have an array of attacking talent at their disposal and they showed that in their recent 3-0 win at Bulgaria, which was the fifth time in their last seven matches that they had netted three or more.
Turkey’s 3-2 victory at Georgia highlights the threat that they carry but one clean sheet in their last eight outings suggests that Spain’s firepower may be too hot to handle.
Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal was unable to get on the scoresheet in the recent victory in Bulgaria but he had five shots, hitting the target three times, and may be able to make amends in Turkey.
Yamal, still only 18 years of age, is Europe’s hottest prospect and already has six goals and ten assists in 22 caps, suggesting he could make the difference in Konya.
The Spanish left-back is regularly in the action and he will be looking to get up the field against Turkey after he grabbed his first international goal in the 3-0 win in Bulgaria.Player to Watch
Cucurella has had a strong start to the domestic season for Chelsea, helping them to two clean sheets in three Premier League outings and assisting the opening goal in a 5-1 rout of West Ham.
The 27-year-old had two shots, scoring once, in the victory over Bulgaria but also conceded two fouls, so he is also worth a look in the card markets given he could line up against Real Madrid hotshot Arda Guler.
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